Building Knowledge, Skills and Confidence
WQA offers accelerated pathways to achieve the CWS, CST, CWR, CI, and CTD designations. The requirements are listed in the chart below.
Not sure if you’re ready for the accelerated path? WQA’s free online practice tests can help you decide!
Professionals already holding a WQA certification may be exempt from some or all of the prerequisites below and should contact the Professional Certification & Training department at [email protected] or 630-505-0160 for more information.
Certified Water Specialist Accelerated Path
For professionals with 2+ years or 5+ years of experience selling and configuring treatment equipment and multistage treatment trains for residential problem water applications, direct to consumers.
Requirements for CWS Designation – Experience 2+ Years
✓ 2+ years of experience specifying problem water treatment for B2C applications
✓ Pass Two Challenge Tests for Assessing Water Quality & Application and Sizing of POU/POE water treatment for problem water applications in the B2C market
✓ Complete self-paced online Ethics Course
✓ Pass Certification Exam
CWS Accelerated Path Bundle:
Two Assessment Tests
Ethics Course
CWS Exam
* Optional
Requirements for CWS Designation – Experience 5+ Years
✓ 5+ years of experience specifying problem water treatment for B2C applications
✓ Complete self-paced online Ethics Course
✓ Pass Certification Exam
CWS Accelerated Path Bundle:
Ethics Course
CWS Exam
* Optional
Certified Water Treatment Representative Accelerated Path
For professionals with 2+ years of experience selling and configuring treatment options for aesthetic contaminants, direct to consumers.
Requirements for CWR Designation
✓ 2+ years of experience selling POU/POE water treatment equipment in a B2C market
✓ Pass One Challenge Test for Assessing Water Quality
✓ Complete self-paced online Ethics Course
✓ Pass Certification Exam
CWR Accelerated Path Bundle:
One Assessment Test
Ethics Course
CWR Exam
* Optional
Certified Installer Accelerated Path
For professionals with 2+ years of experience placing POE and POU water treatment in residences. Focuses on safe installation, code compliance, and general water treatment equipment knowledge.
Requirements for CI Designation
✓ 2+ years of experience in POU/POE water treatment equipment
✓ Complete a two-hour review video
✓ Complete self-paced online Ethics Course
✓ Pass Certification Exam
CI Accelerated Path Bundle:
Two-Hour Review Video
Ethics Course
CI Exam
* Optional
Certified Treatment Designer Accelerated Path
For those with 3+ years of experience in business-to-business technical sales or technical support, R&D engineers, public health professionals or others involved in supporting selection, troubleshooting and maintenance of POU/POE water treatment technologies and equipment.
Requirements for CTD Designation
✓ 3+ years of experience in B2B experience in technical sales/technical support of POU/POE equipment & applications
✓ Complete self-paced online Ethics Course
✓ Pass Certification Exam
CTD Accelerated Path Bundle:
Ethics Course
CTD Exam
* Optional
Certified Service Technician Accelerated Path
For field professionals with 2+ years of experience servicing existing POU/POE residential treatment systems. Focuses on troubleshooting and correcting underlying problems.
Requirements for CST Designation
✓ 2+ years of experience specifying problem water treatment for B2C applications
✓ Pass Two Challenge Tests for Assessing Water Quality & Application and Sizing of POU/POE water treatment for problem water applications in the B2C market
✓ Complete self-paced online Ethics Course
✓ Pass Certification Exam
CST Accelerated Path Bundle:
Two Assessment Tests
Ethics Course
CST Exam **
** Certified Installers who earned their CI title prior to 2022 do not need to complete any prerequisites and should contact [email protected] for information on taking the CST exam
* Optional
To achieve any WQA-certified designation, the candidate must complete the appropriate prerequisites, pass a comprehensive exam and agree to abide by the WQA Code of Ethics for the water treatment industry.
While the training is structured to provide the certification candidate with a stronger understanding of the concepts and topics covered on the certification exams, completion of training does not guarantee a passing score on the exam. Review exam blueprints and study guides and requirements for taking an online exam.